The Baptism of the Lord

copy of painting of Jesus emerging from the baptismal water with arms out like hanging on the cross and a dove descending

iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | Google Play Music

The Baptism of the Lord (Feast) Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial: Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38
Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Today as the Christmas season comes to a close, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. We learn in Scripture that Jesus presents himself to John. And the baptism of Jesus begins his public ministry. Now, Jesus is without sin, so he doesn’t need to be baptized by John. Indeed, John tells him as much. Through Matthew’s account which, by the way, is the only place in Scripture where we find this dialogue between John and Jesus; we get some insight into these two cousins. I suggest to you to that reflecting just on the dialogue between John and Jesus can be a powerful experience. If you are interested in the prayerful practice of lectio divina, then I encourage you to spend some time with this particular dialogue in prayer.

Of course, the Baptism of the Lord reveals so much, and I’m sure you’ve received some excellent insights during the homily proclaimed at mass. So, in my reflection, I’d like to share what the Church teaches about the responsibility of living out a life of the baptized disciple of Jesus Christ.

Now Jesus did not need to be baptized. But he willingly enters the water as a sign of being united to the sinful people of Israel. He unites himself with sinners and gives us a clue to how he will bear the sins of the people when his mission comes to a climax on that scandalous cross. He inaugurates his ministry by stepping into the place of the sinner.

What does Jesus do next? It’s not a fair question because what happens next is not part of today’s reading, but come one, what happens next?

Does Jesus retire to some sacred place, the Temple perhaps, to pray and meditate twenty-four seven? No, Jesus is ready to proclaim the Good News, and he goes out into the world. Jesus doesn’t wait for the nations of the world to come to him; he goes out to the nations.

He goes out to “bring forth justice to the nations,” (Isaiah 42:1). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus travels all over Palestine to “open the eyes of the blind, … bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness,” (Isaiah 42:7).

From the moment of his baptism, Jesus has been going out into the world. But he doesn’t do it alone. First, he goes out. Then he calls and send out Peter and Paul and the other apostles, and indeed other disciples like the 72 we read about in Luke 10:1-23. And now, my brothers and sisters, Jesus is sending you – each and every one of us who have been baptized according to our skills and abilities.

Now he doesn’t send you out alone. No! Jesus comes to you and he comes to me every day to fill us with the same Spirit that filled him at baptism. But there’s a catch. We need to be open to receiving Jesus every day.

You see, our baptism – our salvation – destines us to be united with God in heaven. And indeed, our baptism marks us with the seal of the Lord. But the Gospel does not teach that once saved, always saved. Our salvation, which is freely given, depends, as Scripture and St. Paul so often tell us, on our perseverance – our living and dying with Christ, (see Romans 6:8-13, 17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:11, Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; 2 Timothy 2:11, to name a few).

Part of what that means is that every day, you and I have a choice. Do we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? Or will we today give into the luxuries and temptations this world has to offer? You see, if we believe – if we really believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, then that should affect the way we live our lives each and every day. We sacrifice some of the comforts this world offers so that we, following the example of Jesus, Peter, Paul, the apostles and the first disciples, reach out to those who cannot come to church, those who do not come to church and those who will not come to church.

We reach out and share with the them the Good News of Jesus Christ! And how do we do that? By following Jesus’ example. We don’t hit them with the Bible or call them to repent. That might work for some, but for most people, following Jesus’ example, we need to meet people where they are. That’s how we start. Now, this might be the person working the cash register when you go to buy a cup of coffee on your way to work. It could be one of your coworkers who seems overly curious about what you do in church. And it could be the people you encounter if Jesus calls you to go out on a mission trip. As we begin each day, we should rise with joy and profess, “Here I am, Lord! Send me to share Your Good News!”

My brothers and sisters, the Baptism of the Lord that we remember today challenges each and every one of us. Are we living lives of the baptized? That’s a good question, and that leads us to homework! After being nourished by Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two challenges this week.

  1. First, what does it mean to believe in a God that is not you? What does it mean to believe in your own holiness and goodness?
  2. Second, ask the Holy Spirit to settle on you, to give you courage and strength to share your faith with those you encounter.

I think doing our homework will help us strengthen our lives of as baptized disciples of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Then go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image credit: Baptism of the Christ #2 – Daniel Bonnell www.bonnellart.com (USA/Contemporary)

References:

  1. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004.
  2. Hoisington, Thomas. “Baptism of the Lord – January 12, 2020.” Homiletic & Pastoral Review, January 2020. Accessed 11 January 2020. https://www.hprweb.com/2019/12/homilies-for-january-2020/.
  3. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
  4. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
  5. Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

  1. Jesus’ baptism, 535-36, 1223-24
  2. The dove, 701
  3. Seal of the Lord, 1272-74
  4. Confirmation, 1286
  5. Christ as beloved Son, 444
  6. Christ as servant, 713
  7. Salvation outside the Church, 776, 846-48
  8. Jesus anointed by the Spirit, 438, 486
  9. Judge of the living and the dead, 678-79

Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011220.cfm
First Reading Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial
Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
R/ (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Second Reading
Acts 10:34-38
Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites
as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.”

Alleluia
Mark 9:7
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him.
John tried to prevent him, saying,
“I need to be baptized by you,
and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us
to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized,
he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened for him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”